Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:19-23
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might...
Ephesians 1:19
The unceasing prayer of the apostle Paul for the enlightenment of the heart of every believer in Ephesus, is not just for a well-informed heart and mind alone, or that there would be more hoping in God as our Father, as the previous verses has said: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,“. Though these are fundamentally vital in every believer’s walk, but there is more about it, that we must even progress in these matters. The reason why, Paul wanted that the church would know more of these infinite glories that we have in Christ, is that God’s power may be exalted, and magnified! And that it may be depended or relied upon in our lives!
As our passage continues to reveal to us what is the will of God, beginning from the believers of Ephesus, we now see where we should progress or what we must aim! It was shown here clearly that there is another prayer that Paul is asking for the Christians in Ephesus, that we must also aim in our progress: “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.“ Paul immediately wanted them to understand deeply that the saving power of God has worked [continuous process] in us, is the same power that He has used when He raised the Son from the dead. What seems to be hopeless and impossible, God has triumphantly conquered these! God’s greatness was shown when Christ defeated death by His own death, and when He was raised gloriously! Therefore, the work that God has begun in each Christian, is perfectly sure in its success! This also means that our transformation in the likeness of Christ is a sure end and destination! For He who works is Omnipotent/All-powerful! And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. And His authority in seating Christ at His right hand in the heavenly places, is the same authority that He has in doing a glorious work towards us, poor, vile, and wretched transgressors of His will, clothing us with the righteousness of Christ and making us like Him! And this working that God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is doing to us, is anchored in His intrinsic authority and power as the Ultimate and Supreme of all.
When this reality sinks into the system of a real believer of Christ, this would always result to more reliance and confidence in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to us! And this empowerment is always available for those who are truly in Christ! That’s why, there is such assurance because of Christ, for those who are truly in Christ! Because of the Spirit, the state of blessedness of a Christian is enjoyed now presently! Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Dear saint, let this glorious truth and blessed reality find its way to become part of the bedrock of our faith. That those who are in Christ are completely safe in the hands of God! Keep this always in mind that He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Therefore, hear this furthermore, dear saint – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. And now, in light of these things, the longing must be still the same – Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Don’t be tempted, dear saint, to lose hope! You can always depend upon God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For you are in Christ, and Christ is in you! In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. This empowerment is always available for you! Cling to this hope, for God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Do you know intimately that there is an always available empowerment of the Spirt for you, as a believer?
2. Have you now realized that it is by God’s might that we should live on as Christians?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You once more, in the name of Your Son, to humble myself before You, and to ask of this empowerment that You have always made available for us, in living out our new life in Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Please increase my faith, that I might find my confidence in Your authority and power alone, as I live out my blessed life, as Your children. This I pray, in His name. Amen.
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